The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently arraigned two alleged members of a syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, for impersonating and attempting to blackmail the EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede. This case was presented on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja.
According to the EFCC, the defendants contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and falsely claimed they had insider information about an investigation involving him by the EFCC. They demanded a sum of $1 million, assuring Bello-Koko that Olukoyede would facilitate a “soft landing.” Moreover, they threatened him with arrest and prosecution if he failed to comply.
The commission filed a four-count charge against Joshua and Hashim, accusing them of impersonation and attempted fraud. One of the charges detailed their attempt to obtain $700,000 from Bello-Koko on September 28, 2024, by falsely representing that they could halt a fictitious EFCC petition. This alleged act is contrary to Section 8(b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006.
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When the charges were read, both defendants pleaded not guilty. EFCC’s counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, subsequently requested their remand in a correctional facility until trial commencement. “After entering a not guilty plea, my Lord, we would like to request a date to start calling our witnesses and to have the defendants placed under remand in custody,” she said.
The first defendant’s attorney, Obinna S. Nwosu, responded by asking for his client to be released on lenient bail conditions. Similarly, the second defendant’s lawyer, Peter Oriobe, made an oral application for bail, prompting Justice Onwuebuzie to direct a formal submission.
The EFCC opposed these bail applications, presenting a 22-paragraph counter-affidavit and Exhibit EFCC 1. Alabi urged the court to deny bail and prioritize an expedited trial. Upon review, Justice Onwuebuzie granted the first defendant bail set at N100 million, with two sureties of the same amount. The sureties must be level 16 officers in the civil service, provide valid identification, submit appointment and promotion letters, and offer a written commitment to ensure the defendant’s court appearances. Additionally, the first defendant must surrender his international passport.
Both defendants were ordered to be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending fulfillment of the bail conditions. The court adjourned the matter until November 18, 2024, to address the second defendant’s bail application.
Joshua and Hashim were members of a four-person network that impersonated Olukoyede, according to information released by the EFCC. On August 28, 2024, they were captured in Abuja near the Apo legislative quarters, Garki, and Gimbiya Street. This arrest and subsequent arraignment underscore the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent activities and uphold justice.
